Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Neuropsychology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Students will be seen after class and/or by making an appointment.
Introduction
The Neuropsychology course aims to provide the necessary knowledge to understand the neural substrates of cognitive functioning in human beings, to identify the main neuropsychological syndromes associated with different neurological disorders (strokes, epilepsy, dementias, traumatic brain injuries or brain tumours), psychiatric disorders (addictions, schizophrenia) and learning problems / ADHD. Likewise, the primary cortical dysfunctions related to the appearance of cognitive changes (attention syndromes, aphasias, amnesias, anomias, apraxia, frontal pathology) and personality changes will be addressed; as well as rarer ones, such as prosopagnosia, alexia or anosognosia. During the course, additionally, emphasis will be placed on how to administer a neuropsychological assessment in children and adults and how to identify the most relevant clinical, demographic and psychological information to make a neuropsychological diagnosis with associated intervention or rehabilitation
Pre-course requirements
There are no prerequisites, although it is advisable to have completed and studied the subjects of Psychobiology and Psychophysiology.
Objectives
1. To know the main neuropsychological conditions and dysfunctions of the superior cortical regions.
2. To acquire basic knowledge about dementia and its different typologies.
3. To introduce the student to neuropsychological assessment, both in childhood and in adulthood.
4. To acquire the necessary knowledge to determine a neuropsychological diagnosis based on relevant clinical and psychological information.
5. To establish the knowledge bases for the design and implementation of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) in order to issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CE03 - The ability to make adequate decisions about what Psychology-specific methods and measuring instruments to use in each situation or evaluation context.
- CE09 - The ability to identify the biological basis of the functions of Psychology and human behaviour, with an understanding of how they work and their influence on other aspects of a person.
- CE18 - The ability to identify the structures and processes involved in basic psychological functions and recognise the nature of individual differences.
- CG03 - The ability to read scientific literature in a critical, well-founded manner, take into account its provenance, situate it within an epistemological framework and identify and contrast its contributions in relation to the disciplinary knowledge available.
- CG12 - The ability to create the conditions necessary for effective communication and a good relationship of help and support.
- CT03 - The capacity for analysis and synthesis.
- CT04 - The capacity to work in a team
- CT07 - The capacity to learn autonomously
- CT09 - The ability to communicate adequately, both orally and in writing
Learning outcomes of the subject
Once the student has finished the course, they should be able to:
a) Identify and recognise the cognitive and behavioural dysfunctions and alterations produced by pathologies of the frontal lobe.
b) Identify and recognise attentional dysfunction and disorders.
c) Identify and recognise memory dysfunction and disorders.
d) Identify and recognise dysfunctions and language disorders secondary to neurological damage.
e) Identify and recognise dysfunctions and alterations of perception.
f) Identify and recognise dysfunctions and alterations in motor function secondary to neurological damage.
g) Make a neuropsychological diagnosis based on clinical and psychological evidence.
h) Make a diagnosis of dementia.
i) Identify and recognise different neuropsychological tests used for child neuropsychological evaluation.
j) Identify and recognise different neuropsychological tests used for child neuropsychological evaluation.
k) Correctly select and administer neuropsychological tests in a clinical case.
l) Design a neuropsychological rehabilitation that fits the clinical case.
Syllabus
Topic 1. Introduction to neuropsychology
Topic 2. Hemispheric location and hemispheric asymmetry
Topic 3. Alterations of the frontal lobe
Topic 4. Attention disorders
Topic 5. Memory disorders
Topic 6. Language alterations secondary to neurological damage
Topic 7. Alterations of perception.
Topic 8. Alterations in motor function secondary to neurological damage.
Topic 9. Dementias
Topic 10. Child neuropsychological evaluation
Topic 11. Neuropsychological evaluation in adults
Topic 12. Neuropsychological rehabilitation
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY |
| Lectures will be the setting in which students will learn and use the terminology and linguistic structures related to the sphere of study, for the purpose of practising and developing oral and written communication skills and becoming familiar with the literature and instruction materials provided to better integrate the curricular content. |
| The guided reading of texts aims to develop the students’ critical thinking skills, which play a fundamental role in creating citizens who are both aware and responsible. |
| Case studies are a learning technique in which the subject is given the description of a specific situation that poses a problem, which must be understood, assessed and resolved by a group of people through discussion. Case studies are generally resolved in groups to promote student participation and develop their critical thinking skills. They also prepare students to make decisions, teaching them how to back up their arguments and contrast them with the opinions of the other group members. |
| A non-classroom activity in which students undertake exercises autonomously, without the presence of the lecturer/professor. This is the stage in which most questions arise, but, as the option to immediately ask the question does not exist, students are forced to make an additional effort. |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
50% Written test
10% PIR type test
20% Group work
20% Class activities
A minimum of 5 will be required as an average of the global assessment to pass the course. In case of failure on any of the tests or exams, it can be retaken for a second time.
Bibliography and resources
- Kolb B & Whishaw I. (2017) Neuropsicología Humana. Buenos aires: Editorial Médica Panamericana
- Walsh, K.W. (1986). Neuropsicología clínica. Madrid: Editorial Alhambra, S.A.
- Dennis Rains G. (2003) Principios de neuropsicología humana. Edit. McGraw Hill
- Ellis AW & Young AW. (1992) Neuropsicología Cognitiva Humana. Barcelona: Editorial Masson
- Junqué C & Barroso J. (2001) Neuropsicología. Editorial Síntesis
- Muñoz Céspedes JM & Tirapu J. (2001) Rehabilitación Neuropsicológica. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis
- Tirapu J, Ríos M & Maestú F. (2008) Manual de Neuropsicología. Barcelona: Viguera editores
- Pérez M. (2009) Manual de Neuropsicología Clínica. Madrid: Ediciones Pirámide
Evaluation period
- E1 18/01/2021 A21 12:00h
- E2 22/06/2021 A04 12:00h